Driveline or Texas Baseball Ranch?

I've heard good things from both.  Although if it was me, my overriding factors would be traffic and cost of living. ;0)

The first one is a wash. Seattle and Houston are both absolutely horrible during rush hour.

 

(I run Driveline Baseball and sit in stupid Seattle traffic all the time. Still, it's a beautiful city.)

 

EDIT: I stay out of these threads about my business when it comes to comparisons or testimonials and the like. I just wanted to chime in about the traffic. 

Both are excellent choices.

 

Houston is a lot cheaper to live, and a lot hotter and more humid. Seattle is one of my favorite cities in the world...in June, July, August and Sept. Sucks in Dec-March. 

 

Both have terrible traffic. 

 

Both have great baseball stadiums. Teams not so much. 

 

Fresh fish is better in Seattle.

 

Crayfish better in Houston.

 

Coffee better in Seattle.

 

Tx Mex and BBQ in Houston is amazing. 

 

More micro breweries in Seattle. 

 

Girls are much prettier in Tx. (sorry Kyle)

 

A lot more college playing opportunities in Tx as far as number of colleges and levels.

 

Competition for those slots higher. 

 

Taxes are lower in Tx. (a lot)

 

Texas has some really crazy politicians....seriously really nuts. 

 

People are great in both places, but I think Texans are more friendly. 

 

Hope that helps! 

 

 

 

 

 

Astros are coming along! Mariners... not so much.

 

No argument on the girls. It's not even close.

 

Taxes are a different thing. Depends on what you plan on doing. No state income tax is nice but sales tax is horrible. Property taxes are terrible in both states.

 

And we have some nutbag politicians. Just on the other side of the aisle

My son was stationed near Seattle his last year in the army.  He liked the culture better there but preferred the weather in Texas.  Personally I've tried to always live in small Texas towns (<10,000).
If baseball was the over riding factor it would be Texas for me

Dwight,

 

You must really take pitching seriously in order to relocate for training purposes.  

 

I think you will be on good hands when it comes to that no matter what you decide between those two locations.

 

Personally I would take San Diego and I'm headed that way.

Only city in America I'd leave Seattle for, Jerry. Truly beautiful.

I LOL'ed at some of these comments. Haha. Great feedback though. Long shot here, but has anyone, or does anyone know of someone, that has done both? Except Trevor Bauer obviously.

Is there a good pitching training place in San Diego? I'm aware of Tom House's facility at USC out in LA

       
       
Kyle, I can't tell you how fun it is to follow your input on my favorite subject if pitching.  Its really nice that guys like you and PG and john madden and others just love being part of our conversations without beating the drums for business.  And honestly it makes me want to patronize even more.  Unfortunately for me Seattle is a bit out of the question!

Kyle, I know you don't like talking about your business and all on these threads, but if you don't mind me asking one question, is your place accommodating to those who may work full time, or want to work full time? Or does most of your training go on during the daytime hours? Pretty much, do you do training on evenings and weekends? Sorry if this is a stupid question haha.

Jim Wagner (ThrowZone) in Valencia/Santa Clarita is good.

 

You bet. Vacation up here some time!

 

Depends on age. Our pros work out during the day. But we have night sessions as well, and Sundays are our busiest days in the facility. In our new 6000 sq. ft. place in Kent, WA (20 min south of Seattle), we will be open 10-9 five days per week with one 10-2 morning/afternoon pro-only session as well (Fridays will likely be closed).

Kyle, thanks so much! Definitely a huge factor in my decision for sure. 

Dwight, as PG pointed out you will be in good hands with any of them.

 

I think you will find that they are all similar in their approach where you work on total body strength and flexibility and the throwing has a lot of "under and over" dynamic training as well as the decelerator strengthening. Most also have an element of long toss. 

 

Wolfforth has been the pioneer  in the field, (actually John Bongonzi if you go way back) and Kyle seems to be taking it a step further with his analytical work.  

 

From my experience just keep studying the craft and working on it and you will end up adapting what works best for your available time, location and body. 

 

PG best state in the country to be FROM.  

Have you attended a camp with either?  You have a direct line to Kyle here, but you can call Coach Wolforth for his feedback.  Texas cost of living in the area of the baseball ranch is quite cheap.  You could probably get work at a local baseball academy and use their cages for your drill work in downtime.

 

I would imagine both places won't stand over you everyday to accomplish your goal.  Either could intermittently review video and help with corrective actions. 

Both are outstanding programs...Son has spent time down at the ranch during their summer program...Can't go wrong there...He is also doing Driveline's remote program which has been awesome.  I tend to think the guys at Driveline are more accessible for questions and follow up. Hell, Kyle is always on here to answer questions which shows how easy it is to get a hold of them. I can't comment on Driveline's facility but I am sure it's top notch.

 

As for the weather, Seattle sucks most of the year...rains ALL the time...Houston sucks in the summer...hotter than hell...but the fall, winter and spring are really nice...

 

You won't go wrong at either place

I've never been to a camp with either, but I attend the AZ Baseball Ranch currently and we do stuff similar to the one in TX. In terms of work, and sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I was hoping I could have a career-related work that's pertinent to my degree, so I'm not particularly interested in working at a baseball academy or cage. Not that I think I'm above it, but I worked extremely hard to earn a bachelor's degree in my field, which wasn't easy for me. In terms of that, Seattle and Driveline might be the better option. Desk job during the day, then train in the evenings and weekends. I know at TX, especially the summer camps, it's all during the day during daytime work hours.

 

But again, not sure yet, and looking to make the move either shortly after the new year or this time next year. Hope I don't sound too arrogant or ignorant here haha.

Driveline would probably be the best place then since TBR is more structured in their program. Their summer program is held during the day and is usually wrapped up by about 4:30-5pm and many weekends are not available if they are doing the boot camps.

Hi guys, just an update. The Texas Baseball Ranch is actually hosting their Elite Pitchers Bootcamp next month in California for a discounted price (partnering with the Throwzone academy). I'm set on attending it. Here's the link: http://tzacademy.com/camp/elite-pitchers-boot-camp/

 

As for relocation, I have strongly considered it but I definitely think Seattle would be the best option for me as I can train at Driveline full time, as well as work full time. With that being said, and I apologize if this is highly inappropriate (or naive), if anyone has any professional contacts in the Seattle area, please let me know! Have begun a career search for a full time job there, and any potential leads would be greatly appreciated!

 

At this point in my baseball career, I am just seeking out the most knowledge as possible, from the most knowledgable people about this subject. These are all things I wish I had done a long time ago, but I had no knowledge, but I believe I can achieve my goals and that it's not too late. I have already broken barriers that most said I was incapable of achieving, so of course I am very much hungry to continue this journey.

Good choice Jim Wagner at throwzone is a quality guy. They also have training facilities, plus the weather might make it easier to train outside year round. Not saying you want to do this, just another option.

 

Good Luck!

Jim is a good guy - not sure if he has a full-time membership type program. I have presented with Jim in the past and his son has trained at my facility. Wagner is truly one of the good guys of the baseball world in more ways than one.